Letters | Commemorating Victory Day in Hong Kong, Russia honoured fallen Soviet seamen

This year, Moscow and Beijing jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the second world war, known in Russian historiography as the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). During that time, the Soviet and Chinese peoples stood shoulder to shoulder, fighting aggression in defence of their sovereignty, freedom and independence.

Although the main battles involving Soviet people took place thousands of miles from Hong Kong, by fate this city became the final resting place for several Russian seamen killed by Japanese bombs. This year, to commemorate May 9, Victory Day in Russia, the consulate general laid wreaths at their graves in the historic section of Hong Kong Cemetery for the first time.

This tribute was preceded by extensive research, conducted by volunteers from Russia. Their efforts enabled us to identify the names of Russian seamen who perished here during the war. Regrettably, not all their burial sites could be located after so many years. As the search continues, diplomats and members of the Russian community are working to restore the identified graves to a dignified condition. In this important endeavour, we are grateful for the support of the Hong Kong authorities.

Last year, I attended the opening of the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, where I met Hong Kong veterans who survived those dramatic years and displayed remarkable heroism during the city’s occupation. Their courage reminded me of the Russian veterans who fought against fascism.

The Hong Kong government has held numerous commemorative events to mark the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of the World War II, inviting consuls general from various countries. It was a great honour for me to attend the ceremony on September 3 at the Memorial Shrine in City Hall Memorial Garden.

For its part, the consulate general of Russia has contributed to raising awareness about World War II. At Hong Kong Central Library, we have curated a photo exhibition featuring archival images of the Soviet Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation, which defeated the Kwantung Army and liberated northeast China from militarist Japan. This military operation brought the war’s end closer and, I do hope, contributed to the freeing of Hong Kong. We stood together with China then, and we remain together now.